4 one-stop shops for Halloween on the North Shore

Halloween decorations in the front yard of a house on Halloween.

You know that crazy neighbor who goes all out for Halloween? The one whose house has every ghost and ghoul in place by daybreak on Oct. 1? Hello, I am that neighbor.

Since I was a kid, I’ve loved me some Halloween. I’ve also long wondered why (slash been annoyed that) Halloween gets a measly few weeks while other holidays enjoy months in the limelight (I’m looking at you, Christmas). But whether you get in early on the action or wait until it’s actually appropriate, you’re gonna need a place to stock up on all things spooktacular. Here are four places on the North Shore to pick your poison, haunt your home and make this Halloween the most boo-tiful yet.

Cheap? Check.

From yard decor to trick-or-treat swag, the good ol’ Dollar Tree can do it on the cheap. Throwing a Halloween party (for kids or adults)? This is your one-stop shop for party supplies that you won’t feel bad tossing the next day (and let’s face it, they won’t last much longer than that, anyway). Stop by, too, if you’re looking for (innocent!) ways to spook your little one, from spooky stickers and straws to ghoulish treats.

Dollar Tree 

1965 Cherry Lane, Northbrook

All-out trickery? Totes.

There are a few houses in my Northbrook neighborhood that put mine to shame, and not to be boastful, but that’s saying a lot. These are the homes that spare no expense (and no outlets, for that matter). The animatronics, theatrical lighting and more can be found at … drumroll, please … Home Depot, which has seriously upped their Halloween assortment game since last year. Find a 9-foot spider, a 7-foot werewolf and all the glow-in-the-dark skeletons you can muster.

Home Depot

2850 Patriot Blvd., Glenview

Costume central? Certainly.

Take it from me—ordering a bajillion costumes online only to find they’re either terrible or way too tight is not where costume shopping is at. Head to Party City, where you can select from the wall o’ costumes, ask for your size, try it on and make a decision. Plus, they have costumes for babies, toddlers, kids and adults, so you can knock out the list with a single shopping trip.

Party City 

307 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook

Pop-up party? Please!

Seeing the pop-up Halloween stores open their doors for the season brings me great joy. Costumes, fog machines, two-for-one deals on foam tombstones—what more could you ask for? Find your nearest location, then print a coupon good for 20 percent off any single item.

Spirit Halloween 

2211 Willow Rd., Glenview